Connector for display tube anode button

ABSTRACT

A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device such as a cathode ray tube which permits ready disconnection at the button features a receptacle which is designed for mating with an appropriate lead assembly having a contact pin socket. An elongate male contact pin having a screw head at one end and being threaded adjacent the same end has a snap-in piece having spring fingers arranged in a circular pattern for engaging the interior portion of the anode button fixedly positioned on the pin in abutting relation with the screw head by a nut threadably engaging the threaded portion of the pin. A receptacle has an externally threaded tubular end portion and a reduced axial opening in one end which is internally threaded for receiving the contact pin in threaded engagement so that the pin end extends into the tubular portion for engagement with the pin socket of the mating piece, and the screw head and spring fingers are positioned outside the receptacle for being engaged with the anode button so that by tightening the receptacle on the threaded contact pin, the spring fingers are forced into positive locking engagement with the button. A wide circumferential flange on the receptacle compresses an O-ring sealing member against the glass surface of the display tube about the anode button upon tightening of the receptacle on the threaded contact pin.

trite States atent [1 1 Johnson CONNECTOR FOR DISPLAY TUBE ANODE BUTTON [75] Inventor: Erlon Fitch Johnson, Elizabethtown,

52 us. Cl. 339/94 R, 339/219 R, 339/258 TC 511 int. Cl non 13/52 58 Field of Search 339/94, 219, 252,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 896,192 8/1908 Aalborg 339/252 P 2,784,386 3/1957 Primary Examiner-Joseph H, McGlynn Altorney-William J. Keating et a].

57 ABSTRACT A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device such as a cathode ray MacFadden 339/258 TC Sept. It, 1973 tube which permits ready disconnection at the button features a receptacle which is designed for mating with an appropriate lead assembly having a contact pin socket. An elongate male contact pin having a screw head at one end and being threaded adjacent the same end has a snap-in piece having spring fingers arranged in a circular pattern for engaging the interior portion of the anode button fixedly positioned on the pin in abutting relation with the screw head by a nut threadably engaging the threaded portion of the pin. A receptacle has an externally threaded tubular end portion and a reduced axial opening in one end which is internally threaded for receiving the contact pin in threaded engagement so that the pin end extends into the tubular portion for engagement with the pin socket of the mating piece, and the screw head and spring fingers are positioned outside the receptacle for being engaged with the anode button so that by tightening the receptacle on the threaded contact pin, the spring fingers are forced into positive locking engagement with the button. A wide circumferential flange on the receptacle compresses an O-ring sealing member against the glass surface of the display tube about the anode button upon tightening of the receptacle on the threaded contact pin.

8 Claims, SDravving Figures PATENTED SEPI 8 I973 FIGH CONNECTOR FOR DISPLAY TUBE ANODE BUTTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention The present invention relates generally to high voltage electric connectors and more particularly to a connector for the high voltage anode button of a standard cathode ray tube or television tube.

2. Description Of The Prior Art Cathode ray tubes, television tubes and the like of sophisticated display systems, such as find substantial use in high altitude aircraft for navigation and other purposes, are conventionally provided with metallic buttons fixed into the glass surface thereof for the purpose of providing a high voltage anode connection thereto, which in turn must be adequately insulated to prevent leakage of the high voltage field from inside the tube, or to prevent tracking between the connection and the glass and out to ground. The standard anode button is usually found to take one of two general styles or configurations, one being a substantially bucket-shaped hollow for which a contact or connector is bulb-like or tulip-shaped to be snap-fitted into the bucket, and the other having a ball for which a contact or connector is machined like a collet to be snapped thereover to make a typical ball-socket connection. In both cases, while good electrical contact may be made, to provide adequate insulation between the inside and outside glass surfaces of the tube about the connection, a molded rubber boot insulator surrounds the contacts. This is adequate for low voltage at low altitudes, but as is well known, the insulation value decreases with increased altitude, and therefore, at high altitudes at which such aircraft usually fly, electrons are likely to escape between the boot face and the glass of the tube.

This had been corrected in the past by cementing or bonding the boot to the glass with a suitable sealing adhesive, or permanently potting the lead. However, this eliminates any possibility of disconnection for replacing the'tube without damaging the lead or wrecking the tube. Furthermore, such bonds have a tendency to become loosened when subjected to substantial heat and pressure changes, such as are experienced in the operation of an aircraft at high altitudes. On the other hand, the contact may be initially formed with the anode button and an insulative material, such as, for example, a silastic material, may be molded to the glass around the high voltage connector point. The same problems are present in this method, however, and while the lead may be disconnected at the other end, in the case of very long leads, such as are employed in this environment, which are routed around corners in a tightly patterned configuration, it is impossible to get the leads out around the tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable disconnectable high voltage anode button connector for cathode ray tubes and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector for the high voltage anode button of a cathode ray tube or similar display tube which eliminates the possibility of tracking of the high voltage field therewithin.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for the high voltage anode button of a cathode ray tube or similar display tube which is simple in construction, and may be readily disconnected, yet which insures electric integrity of the system at high altitudes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for the high voltage anode button of a cathode ray tube or the like in which the lead assembly is readily disconnectable from the button at the tube end thereof, yet which insures the electrical integrity of the system at high altitudes.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved according to one aspect of the present invention through the provision of a connector formed of anelongate male contact pin having a screw head at one end and being threaded adjacent the same end, a snap-in piece having spring fingers arranged in a circular pattern disposed on the pin in abutting relation with the screw head for engaging the interior portion of the anode button, a nut threadable on the contact pin from the other end thereof for securing the spring snap-in piece against the screw head end of the pin, and a receptacle of insulative material having an externally threaded tubular end portion designed for mating with an appropriate lead assembly having a contact pin socket, a reduced axial opening in the other end being internally threaded for receiving the threaded contact pin in threaded engagement so that the pin end extends into the tubular end portion for engaging the pin socket of the mating piece, while the screw head and spring fingers are positioned outside the receptacle for being snapped into engagement with the anode button. A wide circumferential flange is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle, so that upon tightening the receptacle onto the threaded contact pin, the spring fingers are forced into positive locking engagement with the interior wall of the anode button, and an O-ring sealing member positioned between the receptacle and the outer surface of the cathode ray tube is compressed between the adjacent surface of the flange and the glass tube surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the various components of a connector according to the present invention being shown in an exploded, or unassembled, condition, and of a conventional anode button of the bucket-type incorporated in the glass surface of a cathode ray tube;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. I being fully assembled with the anode button of a display tube;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention designed for use with an anode button of the type having a recessed central bulb-like projection;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a connector according to the present invention designed for use with the same type anode button as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of still another em bodiment of the present invention being designed for use with an anode button of the type having a bulb-like central projection being outside the glass tube surface of the display tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the Drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, where the components of a connector of the present invention are shown in their unassembled form, a standard anode button of the type having a bucket configuration, or being of substantially a truncated conical design, closed at the smaller end and having an inwardly turned flange or lip 11 at the larger end is shown being fixed into the glass surface of a cathode ray tube 12 through an aperture therein. An elongate male contact pin generally designated by the reference numeral 13 is shown having a screw head 14 on one end thereof and is threaded as indicated at 15 along the end portion adjacent the screw head. A metallic spring member generally designated by the reference numeral 16 has a base portion 17 and a plurality of spring fingers integrally formed therewith being arranged in a substantially circular pattern. The spring member 16 has a central aperture in the base 17 thereof for permitting the spring member to be positioned on the male contact pin 13 with the base 17 approaching the screw head 14 and with the free ends of the spring fingers 18 facing substantially in the direction away from the screw head. To secure the spring member 16 in proper position, a threaded nut member 19 is threadably engaged on the threaded portion 15 of male contact pin 13 until it is in abutting relation with the base portion 17 of the spring member.

A receptacle for receiving a mating lead assembly having a contact pin socket member therein is generally designated by the reference numeral 20 and preferably is formed of an insulative plastic material. One end of the receptacle 20 is in the form of an elongate tubular structure 21 of which one end is externally threaded as indicated at 22, with the axial bore 23 thereof serving to receive the contact pin socket of the mating lead assembly while the external threads 22 are adapted to threadably engage internal threads on the connector portion of the mating lead assembly. The other end of the receptacle 20 includes a wide circumferential flange 24 integrally formed on the tubular portion 21, and stepped coaxial cylindrical portions 25 and 26, respectively, formed on the side of the flange 24 opposite the tubular portion 21.

The bore 23 of the tubular portion 21 terminates at shoulder 27 within the flange 24, and the remaining axial portion of the flange 24 is provided with an axial threaded aperture 28 of such diameter for threadably engaging the threaded portion 15 of the male contact pin 13. Aligned axial openings 29 and 30 of substantially equal diameter are provided in the stepped cylindrical portions 25 and 26, respectively, being of such diameter for receiving the nut 19 disposed on the male contact pin 13. Thus, a shoulder 31 is provided by the side of the flange 24 remote from the tubular portion 21 against which the nut 19 may be seated upon assembly of the device. As to the other dimensions of the device, the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 26 is designed to permit the same to be slidably fitted within the inside diameter of the lip portion 11 of the anode button 10, and the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 25 is designed to permit the same to be seated against the outside surface of the lip portion 11 of the anode button 10.

An O-ring sealing member 33 of suitable resilient material having the desired sealing qualities is provided for being disposed between the flange 24 and the outside glass surface of the cathode ray tube 12, and is therefore of a diameter substantially the same as that of the flange portion 24 while having an inside diameter which preferably is greater than the outside diameter of the lip portion 11 of the anode button 10 so that the same will completely engage the glass surface of the tube 12 upon assembly. Similarly a washer 34 which preferably may be formed of teflon, may also be provided for being disposed between the flange 24 and the O-ring 33 for preventing frictional wear of the O-ring 33 by the rotational movement of the flange 24 thereagainst during assembly of the device. Of course, for this use, the washer 34 should have an outside diameter which is substantially equal to that of the O-ring 33 and an inside diameter which is approximately equal to the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 25.

To assemble the connector of the present invention, and to secure the same to the anode button 10 of the cathode ray tube 12, the following steps are preferably employed. First, the metallic spring member 16 is positioned on the male contact pin 13, as shown in FIG. 1, and is secured in place by threading the nut 19 onto the threaded portion 15 of the male contact pin. The male contact pin 13 is then inserted through the threaded aperture 28 in the flange portion 24 of the receptacle 20 and is threadably fixed thereto, such as, by turning of the screw head 14, but preferably the threading of the contact pin 13 into the aperture 28 is not performed to such an extent that the spring fingers 18 project beyond the annular end surface of the cylindrical portion 26.

The assembled receptacle 20, contact pin 13 and spring member 16 arethen snapped into the anode button 10, with the O-ring sealing member 33 and the washer 34 first being disposed therebetween. By turning the receptacle 20, the male contact pin 13 may be drawn thereinto until the nut 19 seats against the shoulder 31, whereupon further turning forces the spring fingers 18 to positively engage the interior surface of the lip portion 11 of the anode button 10. In FIG. 2, where the condition of the various parts of the connector in this stage is shown, it may be seen that the cylindrical portion 26, or the ledge formed thereby, serves to prevent the spring fingers 18 from being squeezed inward.

Prior to securing the connector in place in the anode button 10, as described hereinbefore, a coating of a compatible insulating adhesive, such as, for example, a silicone adhesive, is preferably liberally applied to the bottom of the receptacle, or the part thereof facing the tube 12, and to the O-ring sealing member 33 and the anode area of the cathode ray tube 12. Thus, the adhesive mechanically stabilizes the assembly and provides further insurance of the electrical integrity. Further, while bonding still is preferable, in this case, not as much work is required as in a small pin connector because of the large diameter of the flange portion 24, and additionally reliance is made upon an O-ring for sealing and insulating, rather than upon mere bonding.

Also, with the connector of the present invention, a standard lead assembly can be secured to the receptacle 20, with unthreading of the receptacle 20 being the only way to pull the receptacle loose. Thus, a disconnectable assembly is provided, yet when properly connected, inadvertent pulling loose of the connection is obviated.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a receptacle 20,, which is designed for use with an anode button 10,, of the type having a recessed central bulb-like projection 40. In this embodiment, a truncated portion 26,, is integrally formed on the side of the cylindrical portion 25,, and the spring fingers 18,, are disposed within an axial opening in the truncated portion 26,, so that upon assembly of the receptacle with the anode button the truncated portion 26,, becomes disposed within a substantially truncated annular groove 41 formed in the anode button about the bulb projection 40 and the bulb projection 40 is engaged by the spring fingers l8, withinthe truncated portion 26,, of the receptacle. In other aspects, this embodiment operates in essentially the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinbefore.

Another embodiment which is designed for usewith another anode button of the type having a recessed central bulb-like projection is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, to accommodate connection with the anode button 10,, having a bulb projection 40,, an annular recess 41,, formed thereabout and a lip 11,, which overlies the recess, the receptacle 20,, is formed with spring fingers 18,, which are adapted to grasp the lip 11,, upon assembly with the anode button.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the receptacle of the present invention is illustrated, being designed for use with an anode button of the type having a bulb-like central projection lying outside the glass tube surface of the display tube. Accordingly, the bulb projection 40, is adapted to be received within spring fingers 18,. of the type illustrated in FIG. 3. However, in this case, only the cylindrical portion 25, is provided, and this portion includes an axial opening for receiving the bulb projection 40,. and an outer axial opening 29. of greater diameter than the bulb-receiving aperture, being designed for receiving curled reinforcing lip portions 11 at the base of the bulb projection 40,, on the anode button 10,.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, especially for the purpose of design in the way of accommodating different forms of anode buttons which may be available. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent is:

1. A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device comprising:

a receptacle designed for mating engagement with an appropriate lead assembly having a tubular end portion, a wide external flange on the tubular portion adjacent one end thereof closing the tubular opening at said one end, and a threaded axial opening in said flange of substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of the tubular opening; and

a contact assembly threadably engageable with said threaded opening in said flange and having spring engaging means for engaging an anode button by snap-fit action,

whereby upon engaging said spring engaging means with said anode button, said tubular end portion may be threadably tightened onto said contact assembly for causing the same to tightly engage the outside surface of said display device.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said contact assembly comprises:

an elongate male contact member having a screw head at one end and being threaded adjacent said one end;

a metallic spring member having a base portion and radial spring fingers, said base portion having an opening for receiving said male contact member; and

a nut for threadably engaging said male contact member and securing said spring member thereon between said screw head and said nut.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein said receptacle further has stepped cylindrical portions on the end of said flange opposite said tubular end portion, a central opening on the end one of said stepped cylindrical portions for receiving said nut of said contact assembly, and said end one of said stepped cylindrical portions is receivable in said anode button while the cylindrical portion of said stepped cylindrical portions adjacent said flange is adapted to contact the outer surface of said anode button.

4. A connector according to claim 3, further comprising sealing means adapted to be concentrically disposed about said anode button for being compressed between said flange and said display device upon threadably tightening said receptacle to said contact assembly.

5. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle further has an axially extending portion from the end of said flange opposite said tubular portion and an axial opening in said axially extending portion communicating with said threaded axial opening in said flange, and wherein said spring engaging means of said contact assembly are disposed in said opening in said axially extending portion.

6. A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device comprising:

a cylindrical member having an elongate axial bore in one end and a threaded axial opening in the other end of substantially less diameter than the bore and communicating with said bore;

an elongate male contact pin externally threaded for engaging said threaded axial opening in said cylindrical member;

spring engaging means secured to said male contact pin for engaging an anode button on said display device;

an annular resilient sealing member; and

means on said cylindrical member for engaging said resilient sealing member and upon threadably tightening said cylindrical member on said male contact pin for compressing said resilient sealing member against the outside surface of said display device about said anode button thereof.

7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein said cylindrical member is externally threaded at the end thereof having said axial bore therein.

8. A connector according to claim 6, further comprising means defining a cylindrical recess in said cylindrical member axially aligned with said axial bore and said threaded axial opening and disposed on the end of said threaded axial opening opposite said axial bore for receiving said spring engaging means of said male contact pin. 

1. A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device comprising: a receptacle designed for mating engagement with an appropriate lead assembly having a tubular end portion, a wide external flange on the tubular portion adjacent one end thereof closing the tubular opening at said one end, and a threaded axial opening in said flange of substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of the tubular opening; and a contact assembly threadably engageable with said threaded opening in said flange and having spring engaging means for engaging an anode button by snap-fit action, whereby upon engaging said spring engaging means with said anode button, said tubular end portion may be threadably tightened onto said contact assembly for causing the same to tightly engage the outside surface of said display device.
 2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said contact assembly comprises: an elongate male contact member having a screw head at one end and being threaded adjacent said one end; a metallic spring member having a base portion and radial spring fingers, said base portion having an opening for receiving said male contact member; and a nut for threadably engaging said male contact member and securing said spring member thereon between said screw head and said nut.
 3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein said receptacle further has stepped cylindrical portions on the end of said flange opposite said tubular end portion, a central opening on the end one of said stepped cylindrical portions for receiving said nut of said contact assEmbly, and said end one of said stepped cylindrical portions is receivable in said anode button while the cylindrical portion of said stepped cylindrical portions adjacent said flange is adapted to contact the outer surface of said anode button.
 4. A connector according to claim 3, further comprising sealing means adapted to be concentrically disposed about said anode button for being compressed between said flange and said display device upon threadably tightening said receptacle to said contact assembly.
 5. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle further has an axially extending portion from the end of said flange opposite said tubular portion and an axial opening in said axially extending portion communicating with said threaded axial opening in said flange, and wherein said spring engaging means of said contact assembly are disposed in said opening in said axially extending portion.
 6. A connector for making high voltage connection to an anode button on a display device comprising: a cylindrical member having an elongate axial bore in one end and a threaded axial opening in the other end of substantially less diameter than the bore and communicating with said bore; an elongate male contact pin externally threaded for engaging said threaded axial opening in said cylindrical member; spring engaging means secured to said male contact pin for engaging an anode button on said display device; an annular resilient sealing member; and means on said cylindrical member for engaging said resilient sealing member and upon threadably tightening said cylindrical member on said male contact pin for compressing said resilient sealing member against the outside surface of said display device about said anode button thereof.
 7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein said cylindrical member is externally threaded at the end thereof having said axial bore therein.
 8. A connector according to claim 6, further comprising means defining a cylindrical recess in said cylindrical member axially aligned with said axial bore and said threaded axial opening and disposed on the end of said threaded axial opening opposite said axial bore for receiving said spring engaging means of said male contact pin. 